Methods and systems for engine start control

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided for starting an engine in a vehicle. In one example, two or more energy storage devices are coupled in series to improve engine starting. The method and system may reduce engine starting time.

FIELD

The present application relates to methods and systems for controllingan engine restart.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Vehicles have been developed to perform an idle-stop when idle-stopconditions are met and automatically restart the engine when restartconditions are met. Such idle-stop systems enable fuel savings,reduction in exhaust emissions, reduction in noise, and the like.

In vehicles with such idle-stop systems, an engine may often berestarted following a relatively short idle-stop period, for examplefollowing a short wait at the traffic light. To expedite engine restartat the end of the short idle-stop period, high power and fast-turningstarters may be used. However, such starters may substantially increasevehicle costs while still not achieving satisfactory restart times. Toachieve rapid engine restarts, higher starter accelerations and starterspeeds may be needed.

In one example approach, engine restart may be expedited by adjusting astarter voltage, as shown by Heni et al. in WO 03/099605. Herein, duringan engine restart, the voltage supplied to an electric starter motor isadjusted by adding or subtracting voltages from a first and secondenergy store, such as from a battery and a capacitor, using a DC-DCconverter.

However, the inventors herein have recognized several potential issueswith such a system. As one example, the electrical configuration ofHeni's approach may only be advantageous for high-end vehicle systemswhere the starter and generator are combined. As such, high-end vehiclesystems may include brushless starting systems and complex electricalcircuits for operating them. Thus, the approach of Heni et al. may addsubstantial costs, without substantial benefits, to vehicle systemsincluding simpler brushed alternators and starters. As another example,the approach of Heni et al. necessitates the use of a DC-DC converter toadd or subtract the voltages from the energy stores in the fixedelectrical configuration. The incorporation of components such as theDC-DC converter may also add substantial cost and complexity to avehicle system.

Thus, in one example, some of the above issues may be addressed by amethod of starting an engine in a vehicle, the engine including astarter, the vehicle including a plurality of energy storage deviceselectrically coupled to the starter. One example embodiment comprises,during a first charging condition, electrically coupling the pluralityof energy storage devices in parallel to each other; and during a seconddischarging condition, electrically coupling the plurality of energystorage devices in series to each other and to the starter to actuatethe starter and rotate the engine.

As one example, a first and second energy storage device, such as abattery and a capacitor (for example, an ultra-capacitor or asuper-capacitor), may be arranged in an electrical configuration thatenables voltage-doubling. Specifically, the battery and the capacitormay be electrically connected in a parallel configuration to each otherand to an alternator so as to charge each energy storage device to thesame voltage (for example, 12V). Subsequently, when a higher boostvoltage is needed (such as, to expedite cranking at engine start), arelay may be used to electrically connect the devices in a seriesconfiguration, thereby providing a doubled voltage output (for example,24V). A diode may be used to ensure an appropriate direction of currentflow. Additionally, a charging-rate-controlling resistor may be includedin the circuit to enable the charging rate of the capacitor to bevaried, for example, based on operating conditions and/or chargingopportunities. The electrical configuration may also enable voltagedroops and voltage spikes to be absorbed during transient electricalloading. In this way, use of the energy storage devices in the specifiedelectrical configuration may be synergistically applied for both anexpedited engine start and for reduced voltage transients duringelectrical loading.

It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introducein simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described inthe detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defineduniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description.Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any partof this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example vehicle system layout.

FIGS. 2-3 show detailed descriptions of the components introduced in thevehicle system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a high level flow chart for operating the electricalconfiguration of FIGS. 2-3 during engine crank and/or electricalloading.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description relates to systems and methods for expeditingengine restart from idle-stop, to thereby improve engine restart qualityand provide fuel economy. A plurality of energy (or charge) storagedevices may be electrically coupled to the starter system of FIG. 1 soas to enable the voltage applied across the starter system to be varied.As shown in FIG. 2, a voltage supplied to the starter system may beadjusted (for example, increased), to thereby enable higher starterspeeds and accelerations during engine crank. As shown in FIG. 3, theenergy storage devices may also be coupled to electrical loads, such asan electric power assisted steering load, to compensate for voltagefluctuations, as may occur during transient electrical loading. Anengine controller may be configured to perform a control routine, suchas the routine depicted in FIG. 4, to adjust the voltage output and/orthe charging/discharging rate of the energy storage devices responsiveto vehicle operating conditions. In this way, the energy storage devicescoupled to the starter system may be synergistically applied for bothexpediting engine restarts, and reducing voltage transients duringelectrical loading. In doing so, the quality of engine restarts andoverall engine performance may be improved.

FIG. 1 depicts an example embodiment of a vehicle system 100. Asillustrated, an internal combustion engine 10 is shown coupled to torqueconverter 22 via crankshaft 21. Engine 10 may be started with an enginestarting system 12, including a starter. In one example, as depicted inFIGS. 2-3, the starter may be a motor-driven (or battery-driven)starter. In another example, the starter may be a powertrain drivemotor, such as a hybrid powerplant connected to the engine by way of acoupling device. The coupling device may include a transmission, one ormore gears, and/or any other suitable coupling device. Operation of theengine starting system 12 may be controlled by engine control system102. As further elaborated with reference to FIGS. 2-3, the enginecontrol system 102 may be configured to open or close a series of relaysto accordingly enable the voltage applied across the engine startingsystem 12 (for example, the voltage applied across a starter motor ofthe starting system) to be varied. Specifically, the control system maybe configured to electrically couple one or more energy storage devices(such as a battery and/or a capacitor) to the engine starting system 12.By adjusting the voltage applied across the engine starting system 12 atengine start (or during engine crank), the speed and/or acceleration ofthe starting system may be increased and an engine restart may beexpedited.

Torque converter 22 is also coupled to transmission 24 via turbine shaft23. Torque converter 22 has a bypass, or lock-up clutch (not shown)which may be engaged, disengaged, or partially engaged. When the clutchis either disengaged or partially engaged, the torque converter is saidto be in an unlocked state. The lock-up clutch may be actuatedelectrically, hydraulically, or electro-hydraulically, for example. Thelock-up clutch may receive a control signal from the controller, such asa pulse width modulated signal, to engage, disengage, or partiallyengage, the clutch based on engine, vehicle, and/or transmissionoperating conditions.

Turbine shaft 23 is also known as a transmission input shaft.Transmission 24 comprises an electronically controlled transmission witha plurality of selectable discrete gear ratios. Transmission 24 alsocomprises various other gears, such as, for example, a final drive ratio26. In alternate embodiments, a manual transmission operated by a driverwith a clutch may be used. Further, various types of automatictransmission may be used. Transmission 24 is coupled to tire 28 via axle27. Tire 28 interfaces the vehicle (not shown) to the road 30. In oneembodiment, the powertrain of vehicle system 100 is coupled in apassenger vehicle that travels on the road.

Vehicle system 100 may further include an electric power assistedsteering load, EPAS 104. EPAS 104 may be configured to reduce thesteering effort required in vehicle system 100 by using an electricpower source (for example, an electric motor) to assist a driver in thesteering of vehicle tires 28. The electric motor of EPAS 104 may bepowered by an alternator coupled to engine 10. A control system may beconfigured to adjust the operation of EPAS 104 responsive to the speedof vehicle system 100. For example, more steering assistance may beprovided from EPAS 104 as the speed of the vehicle decreases while lesssteering assistance may be provided as the speed of the vehicleincreases. Additionally, as further elaborated with reference to FIG. 3,control system, 102 may be configured to open or close a series ofrelays to accordingly enable voltage transients generated during theoperation of EPAS 104 (for example, when EPAS is started or stopped) tobe absorbed. Specifically, the control system may be configured toelectrically couple one or more energy storage devices (such as one ormore capacitors) to EPAS 104 during EPAS operation to absorb voltagefluctuations (for example, by charging or discharging the capacitor). Byabsorbing voltage transients generated across the EPAS 104, componentdamage may be reduced and the performance of the vehicle system may beimproved.

FIG. 2 depicts an example embodiment 200 of an electrical configurationfor the vehicle system of FIG. 1 that enables voltage-doubling and thetransmission of the higher voltage to the starter system. By enabling ahigher starter voltage, starter speeds and accelerations may beincreased, thereby expediting engine restarts.

The electrical configuration includes an electrical circuit 201 with aplurality of energy storage devices in a parallel arrangement. Thedepicted example includes two energy storage devices, however inalternate examples, a larger number of devices may be included. Theplurality of energy storage devices may include a battery 202 and acapacitor 212. Capacitor 212 may be an ultra-capacitor or asuper-capacitor. As such, the capacitor and the battery may beinterchangeable with each other, as well as with other suitable energystorage devices.

A first end of battery 202 may be connected to an electrical groundwhile a second end of the battery may be connected to a node 220 of theelectrical circuit 201. The other energy storage device, that iscapacitor 212, may also be electrically grounded at one end. In oneexample, as depicted, a first end of the capacitor may be connected tothe electrical ground through a charge-rate-controlling resistor 214.The second end of the energy storage device may be connected to the node220 of the electrical circuit 201 through a semiconductor, such as diode210 such that the capacitor is connected in parallel to the battery.

An alternator 206 may be included in electrical circuit 201, connectedin parallel to battery 202 and capacitor 212. A first end of thealternator may be connected to the electrical ground while a second endof the alternator may be connected to the node 220 of the electricalcircuit such as to enable the parallel configuration. Alternator 206 maybe configured to charge battery 202 and capacitor 212 to a common(first) voltage. Alternator 206 may also be configured to power thevehicle's electrical loads when the engine is running.

As connected, in the parallel configuration, capacitor 212 may be slowlycharged to the battery 202 voltage by alternator 206. In one example,the battery voltage may be 12V. Accordingly, the capacitor 212 may alsobe charged to 12V. The charging rate of capacitor 212 may be varied bycharge-rate-controlling resistor 214. Alternatively, other suitablecharge-rate-varying devices may be used, such as a DC-DC converter.However, such alternate charge-rate-varying devices may add substantialcost and complexity to the system. While the depicted embodimentincludes a single capacitor 212, in alternate embodiments, a pluralityof capacitors may be included in series to each other, each capacitorconfigured to be charged to the battery voltage, the charging rate ofeach controlled by respective charge-rate-controlling resistors.

The discharging rate of capacitor 212 may also be varied, using relays,such that capacitor 212 may be advantageously used in tandem withbattery 202 to provide a constant low power discharge during continualbaseline starter operations while providing a pulse power during peakload starter operations. For example, a voltage-doubler relay 208 may beincluded in the electrical circuit. A first end of the voltage-doublerrelay 208 may be connected in between capacitor 212 andcharge-rate-controlling resistor 214 while a second end of thevoltage-doubler relay 208 may be connected to the node 220 of theelectrical circuit 201 through a diode 210. In this configuration, whenclosed, voltage-doubler relay 208 may be configured to electricallycouple battery 202, capacitor 212, and starter motor 218 to each other,in series.

As such, capacitor 212 may provide a pulse of energy with highefficiency. By using capacitor-based energy storage devices, the use ofmultiple battery-based energy storage devices during peak poweroperations may be reduced, thereby extending system battery life andreducing overall battery size and costs. Furthermore, capacitor-basedenergy storage devices may be cycled through a plurality of charging anddischarging cycles without any substantial loss in performance.

Vehicle electrical loads 204 may also be connected in parallel tobattery 202 and capacitor 212. Vehicle electrical loads 204 may includecabin heating, air-conditioning, accessory loads, etc. A first end ofthe vehicle electrical load 204 may be connected to the electricalground while the second end of the vehicle electrical load 204 may beconnected to the node 220 of the electrical circuit 201.

The vehicle engine may include a starter, the starter coupled to astarter motor 218. Starter motor 218 may also be connected in parallelto battery 202 and capacitor 212. Specifically, a first end of thestarter motor 218 may be connected to the electrical ground while thesecond end of the starter motor 218 may be connected to the node 220 ofthe electrical circuit 201 through a starter motor relay 216.

During engine idle-stop conditions, a controller may be configured toopen voltage-doubler relay 208 to electrically couple battery 202,capacitor 212, and starter motor 218 in parallel to each other. As such,this may represent a charging condition wherein alternator 206 isconfigured to charge each of battery 202 and capacitor 212 to a firstvoltage (for example, 12V).

At engine restart, that is, during engine crank, starter motor relay 216may be closed to initiate an operation of the starter motor, and hencethe starter system. The starter motor 218 speed and acceleration maythen be substantially increased by providing a higher (that is, boost)voltage (or current) across the motor 218. For example, a quick startinvolving an approximate 240 degrees of engine rotation may be attainedwith the application of a current of 600-800 amps for 200 ms. The highvoltage requirement for the expedited start may be achieved by adjustingthe electrical configuration to a voltage-doubler configuration. Assuch, this may represent a discharging condition. Herein, a controllermay be configured to close voltage-doubler relay 208 to electricallycouple battery 202, and capacitor 212 in series to each other, and tostarter motor 218. It will be appreciated that, in an alternateembodiment, the engagement of both voltage-doubler relay 208 and startermotor relay 216 may be triggered by a common signal, such as anindication of engine cold start and/or engine crank. In this way, a netoutput voltage from the energy storage devices, now connected in series,may be increased, and a second, higher voltage, may be applied acrossthe starter. In one example, the second, higher voltage is double thefirst voltage. That is, the voltage output of the battery and thecapacitor may be applied in series across the starter motor, to enablethe starter motor to experience up to a double voltage (for example,24V). By applying a higher voltage across the starter motor, the startermay be actuated and rotation of the engine may be expedited.

During voltage doubling, diode 210 may ensure a proper flow of currentfrom the battery 202 and capacitor 212 towards the starter motor 218.Furthermore, diode 210 may reduce energy lost to thecharge-rate-controlling resistor 214. In alternate embodiments, diode210 may be replaced with a suitable device capable of preventingimproper current flow. In one example, diode 210 may be replaced withanother relay that opens before the voltage-doubler relay 208 is closed.Diode 210 further enables capacitor 212 to be “topped off” to themaximum transient voltage seen at node 220. For example, if the voltageat node 220 is higher than the voltage experienced at the capacitor 212,diode 210 may enable the surplus voltage to be advantageously stored ascharge in the capacitor. In one example, when applying the second,higher voltage across the starter motor, closing of the voltage-doublerrelay 208 may be controlled to stage the application of the higher(double) voltage. As such, this may allow the starter in-rush current tobe advantageously limited, thereby providing component sizingadvantages. For example, by staging the application of the doublevoltage, a starter motor of a smaller size may be used.

In one example, such as during an engine cold-start, the start-to-rotatecurrent (that is, the current needed to start spinning the starter motorand before a back-EMF builds) may be provided by the capacitor 212. Todo so, starter motor relay 216 may be closed to start operating thestarter, while voltage-doubler relay 208 remains open. Herein, beforethe voltage-doubler relay 208 is closed, diode 210 may ensure thatcapacitor 212 is appropriately discharged to provide the start-to-rotatecurrent (for example, 100 amps). Thus, for an extended crank period, thestarter motor 218 and diode 210 may be exposed to the start-to-rotatecurrent. Subsequently, to expedite the engine restart, voltage-doublerrelay 208 may be closed to provide the voltage boost. That is,voltage-doubler relay 208 may be closed so that the power supplied fromboth the battery and the capacitor may be applied in series across thestarter motor. Furthermore, the closing of voltage-doubler relay 208 maybe adjusted so that the boost voltage is applied in stages and thestarter in-rush current is limited. Once the restart is achieved, thevoltage-doubler relay 208 may be opened. Then, once the back-EMF hasbuilt up, a constant (lower) current may be provided to the startermotor 218 by battery 202. It will be appreciated that the electricalconnection between the capacitor 212 and starter motor relay 216 may beof a low resistance while the electrical connection between thecapacitor 212 and battery 202 may be of a high resistance to bias thehigher current towards the starter motor instead of the battery. In thisway, the burden of a high-current demand for initializing starterrotation may be taken off the vehicle battery. By reducing thehigh-current demand, the energy storage and energy delivery rate of thevehicle battery may be lowered. Since the battery voltage may experiencea substantially lower drop when the starter motor is engaged, thevoltage range specification for vehicle electrical components connectedto the vehicle battery may be relaxed. Furthermore, the vehicle batterycan be made smaller and with deep cycle technology.

In this way, the incorporation of a capacitor-based energy storagedevice allows the starter motor to receive a higher current for a longerperiod of time than may have been possible with only a battery-basedenergy storage device. By connecting the energy storage devices in aparallel configuration for charging purposes and in a seriesconfiguration for discharging purposes, and further using a relay toalternate between the series and parallel configurations, thecapacitor-based energy storage device may be advantageously used inconjunction with the battery-based energy storage device to increase thepower supplied to a vehicle starter system, thereby expediting enginestart times.

FIG. 3 depicts another example embodiment 300 of an electricalconfiguration for the vehicle system of FIG. 1. The depictedconfiguration enables compensation for voltage transients duringtransient electrical loading. By absorbing voltage transients (such asvoltage droops and spikes), experienced during the adjustment ofelectrical loads, the performance and life of system electricalcomponents may be enhanced. It will be appreciated that componentspreviously introduced in FIG. 2 may be similarly numbered in FIG. 3 andmay not be re-introduced for reasons of brevity.

The electrical configuration of embodiment 300 includes an electricalcircuit 301 with a plurality of energy storage devices, such as battery202 and capacitor 212, arranged in parallel to an alternator 206, astarter motor 218, and vehicle electrical loads 204. An additionalelectrical load may also be included in circuit 301. In one example, theadditional electrical load is an electric power assisted steering (EPAS)load 304. The EPAS load may be configured to enable a powered steeringof the vehicle. As such, EPAS load 304 may be a subcategory of vehicleelectrical load 204. However, for purposes of clarifying the use of thecapacitor 212 in the transient electrical loading of vehicle electricalloads such as an EPAS load, EPAS load 304 is depicted as being distinctfrom vehicle electrical load 204. The EPAS load 304 may be electricallygrounded and further connected to a node 320 of the electrical circuit301 in parallel to the starter motor 218, battery 202, and capacitor212. During electrical loading, for example, when an EPAS is started orstopped, a voltage transient, for example, a transient voltage droop ora transient voltage spike, may be experienced. The voltage (or power)droop and/or spike may cause an electric burden on the vehicle systemcomponents, in particular on battery 202. Furthermore, the voltagetransients may cause component damage. For example, a high in-rushcurrent in EPAS load 304 may injure the EPAS and lead to degraded EPASperformance.

The inventors herein have recognized that capacitor 212, whenelectrically coupled to EPAS load 304, may be able to absorb the voltagetransients experienced during the electrical loading, thereby improvingvehicle performance. As such, EPAS load 304 is not required duringengine crank. Thus, capacitor 212 may be synergistically used at enginerestart to expedite engine crank, and during electrical loading toabsorb voltage transients.

During an electrical loading condition, a controller may be configuredto couple the capacitor 212, or an alternate charge storage device, tothe EPAS load by closing an EPAS relay 308. EPAS relay 308 may beelectrically grounded at a first end and may be connected to electricalcircuit 301 at the second end at a point between capacitor 212 andcharge-controlling-resistor 214. By closing EPAS relay 308 duringelectrical loading, capacitor 212 may be electrically coupled to theEPAS load 304, and may be able to absorb voltage transients generatedacross the EPAS. As such, the voltage transients may include conditionsof voltage droops or voltage spikes. In one example, in the event of avoltage spike, for example, when the current flowing through the EPAS(i_(EPAS)) is greater than the current provided by the alternator(i_(alt)), or about to be greater than the current provided by thealternator, the voltage transient may be absorbed into capacitor 212 bycharging the capacitor. In another example, in the event of a voltagedroop, for example, when the voltage across the EPAS (V_(EPAS)) is lowerthan the voltage provided by the alternator (V_(alt)), the voltagetransient may be absorbed by discharging capacitor 212 to compensate forthe difference.

It will be appreciated that, in an alternate embodiment, eithervoltage-doubler relay 208 or EPAS relay 308 may be maintained in anengaged (that is, closed) configuration, thereby reducing the need forcharge-rate-controlling resistor 214.

It will also be appreciated that, since EPAS load 304 is not requiredduring engine crank, an engine controller may be configured to confirmthat no electrical loading of EPAS load 304 occurs during avoltage-doubling operation (that is, an engine restart expeditingoperation). Specifically, the engine controller may be configured toconfirm that EPAS relay 308 and voltage-doubler relay 208 are notengaged at the same time.

While the depicted examples do not illustrate use of a capacitor-basedboost voltage to operate the EPAS load 304, it will be appreciated thatsuch an operation may be possible. For example, the EPAS may be operatedabove the nominal voltage (for example, above 12V) to provide anincrease in steering performance and/or to reduce steering costs. To doso, a DC-DC converter may be included in the electrical configuration toregulate the boost voltage distribution between the starter motor 218and the EPAS load 304. In this way, the charging/discharging rate ofcapacitor 212 may be varied responsive to varying power conditionsthrough the electrical circuit.

Now turning to FIG. 4, an example control routine 400 for operating theelectrical configurations described in FIGS. 2-3, responsive to vehicleoperating conditions, is described.

In particular, the routine adjusts the power output delivered from asystem battery and/or capacitor to a starter system during an enginestart. Similarly, during the operation of a high electrical load (forexample, the EPAS), the routine adjusts the power output transferredbetween the capacitor and the electrical load.

At 402, a crank onset condition may be confirmed. Specifically, it maybe determined whether the engine is being restarted from an idle-stop orshut-down condition, and whether the engine requires to be cranked to bebrought into a suitable starting position. If yes, then at 404, thepower output of the electrical configuration may be adjusted to assistthe starter system. In one example, during an engine cold start, thepower output of the electrical configuration may be controllablydiverted towards the starter system to assist in initiating the spinningof a starter motor. Specifically, starter motor relay 216 may be closedand the power stored in capacitor 212 may be used to initiate spinningof starter motor 218. As capacitor 212 slowly discharges, a current maybe provided to the starter motor for an extended amount of time.

Following the onset of engine crank, at 406, it may be determinedwhether an expedited engine start is needed. If no expedited enginestart is needed, the routine may end. In one example, the engine may berestarted after a relatively short engine-off period (for example, dueto a short wait at a traffic light). Subsequently, a rapid enginerestart may be needed. To achieve a satisfactory shorter restart time, ahigher starter speed and/or acceleration may be required. Thus, if anexpedited engine start is confirmed at 406, at 408, the power output ofthe electrical configuration may be adjusted to expedite engine restart.Specifically, voltage-doubler relay 208 may be closed and the powerstored in capacitor 212 and battery 202 may be diverted to the startersystem. The resulting increase in power across starter motor 218 mayresult in increased starter motor speeds and/or accelerations. In oneexample, battery 202 and capacitor 212 may both have been charged to avoltage of 12V in a parallel configuration. Upon closing relay 208, thebattery and the capacitor may be shifted to a series configuration, anda boost voltage of up to 24V may be applied across the starter motor toaccelerate engine restart. In another example, closing of thevoltage-doubler relay 208 may be controlled to stage the application ofthe boost voltage. In doing so, the starter in-rush current may belimited and component degradation due to the current spike may bereduced. It will be appreciated that the steps described in 402-408 maybe performed in either of the electrical configurations illustrated inFIGS. 2-3.

While the depicted example illustrates closing of starter motor relay216 and voltage-doubler relay 208 at different times and responsive todifferent signals, it will be appreciated that, in an alternateembodiment, the engagement of both voltage-doubler relay 208 and startermotor relay 216 may be triggered at the same time and/or by a commonsignal, such as an indication of engine cold start and/or engine crank.

If a crank onset condition is not confirmed at 402, at 410, it may bedetermined whether a transient electrical loading condition is present.Specifically, it may be determined whether a high electrical load, suchas an EPAS load, is being operated. If no electrical loading conditionis present, the routine may end. If a transient electrical load isperceived, then at 412, the power output of the electrical configurationmay be adjusted to enable voltage transients to be absorbed.

Specifically, EPAS relay 308 may be closed and capacitor 212 may be usedto absorb voltage transients. In one example, if a current spike isexperienced across the electrical load, the excess voltage may beabsorbed into the capacitor and stored as charge. In another example, ifa voltage droop is experienced, the capacitor may be discharged by anamount to compensate for the voltage deficit. It will be appreciatedthat the steps described in 410-412 may only be performed in theelectrical configuration depicted in FIG.3.

In this way, a charge storage device, such as a capacitor, included inparallel to a vehicle system battery may be advantageously used toinitiate and expedite starter motor spinning during engine cranking, andfurther used to absorb voltage transients arising due to the operationof higher electrical loads during regular engine operation. By includingrelays into the electrical circuit, and by adjusting the order andtiming of relay closing, the distribution of power between the differentsystem electrical components may be adjusted. By expediting enginerestart times, the quality of engine restarts may be improved. Further,by absorbing voltage transients, degradation of electrical componentsdue to such voltage transients may be improved, thereby enhancingvehicle performance.

Note that the example control and estimation routines included hereincan be used with various engine and/or vehicle system configurations.The specific routines described herein may represent one or more of anynumber of processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven,multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. As such, various acts,operations, or functions illustrated may be performed in the sequenceillustrated, in parallel, or in some cases omitted Likewise, the orderof processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features andadvantages of the example embodiments described herein, but is providedfor ease of illustration and description. One or more of the illustratedacts or functions may be repeatedly performed depending on theparticular strategy being used. Further, the described acts maygraphically represent code to be programmed into the computer readablestorage medium in the engine control system.

It will be appreciated that the configurations and routines disclosedherein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments arenot to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variationsare possible. For example, the above technology can be applied to V-6,I-4, I-6, V-12, opposed 4, and other engine types. The subject matter ofthe present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinationsand sub-combinations of the various systems and configurations, andother features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. Thefollowing claims particularly point out certain combinations andsub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims mayrefer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof.Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or moresuch elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more suchelements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosedfeatures, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed throughamendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims inthis or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower,equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regardedas included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A vehicle system, comprising: a battery, a firstend of the battery connected to an electrical ground and a second end ofthe battery connected to a node of an electrical circuit; an electricalload, a first end of the electrical load connected to the electricalground and a second end of the electrical load connected to the node ofthe electrical circuit such that the electrical load is connected inparallel to the battery; an alternator, a first end of the alternatorconnected to the electrical ground and a second end of the alternatorconnected to the node of the electrical circuit such that the alternatoris connected in parallel to the battery and the electrical load; acharge storage device, a first end of the charge storage deviceconnected to the electrical ground through a resistor, and a second endof the charge storage device connected to the node of the electricalcircuit through a diode, such that the charge storage device isconnected in parallel to the battery, the electrical load, and thealternator; an engine including a starter, the starter coupled to astarter motor, a first end of the motor connected to the electricalground and a second end of the motor connected to the node of theelectrical circuit through a first relay such that the motor isconnected in parallel to the battery, the electrical load, thealternator, and the charge storage device, closing of the first relayenabling an operation of the motor to be started; and a second relay, afirst end of the second relay connected in between the charge storagedevice and the resistor, and a second end of the relay connected to thenode of the electrical circuit, the second relay configured toelectrically couple the battery, the charge storage device, and thestarter to each other.
 12. The system of claim 11 further comprising acomputer readable storage medium having code therein, the mediumcomprising; code for opening the second relay to electrically couple thebattery and the charge storage device in parallel to each other during afirst charging condition; and code for closing the second relay toelectrically couple the battery and the charge storage device in seriesto each other and to the starter motor during a second dischargingcondition.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the second conditionincludes one of an engine cold start and an engine crank.
 14. The systemof claim 11 wherein the charge storage device includes a plurality ofcapacitors electrically coupled in series to each other.
 15. The systemof claim 12 wherein, during the first condition, the battery and thecharge storage device are both charged to a first voltage.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15 wherein, during the second condition, electricallycoupling the battery and the charge storage device in series to eachother and to the starter motor includes applying a second, highervoltage, across the starter, the second voltage being double the firstvoltage.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein applying the second, highervoltage, across the starter motor includes staging the application ofthe second, higher voltage across the starter motor.
 18. The system ofclaim 12 wherein closing the second relay to electrically couple thebattery and the charge storage device in series to each other and to thestarter motor during the second discharging condition includes closingthe first relay.
 19. A method of operating a vehicle including anelectrical circuit, the method comprising, during a first condition,electrically coupling a battery, a charge storage device, and an enginestarter, in parallel to each other, by opening a first relay, each ofthe battery, the charge storage device and the starter electricallygrounded and further connected to a node of the electrical circuit inparallel to each other, the starter configured to initiate enginecranking, the first relay connected between the charge storage deviceand the node of the electrical circuit in parallel to the charge storagedevice; during a second condition, electrically coupling the battery,the charge storage device, and the starter, in series to each other, byclosing the first relay, to actuate the starter and rotate the engine;and during a third condition, electrically coupling the charge storagedevice to an electrical power assisted steering load (EPAS), by closinga second relay, to absorb voltage transients across the EPAS, the EPASconfigured to enable a steering of the vehicle, the EPAS electricallygrounded and connected to the node of the electrical circuit in parallelto the starter, the battery, and the charge storage device.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 wherein, during the first condition, electricallycoupling the battery, the charge storage device, and the starter, inparallel to each other further includes, electrically coupling thebattery and the charge storage device in parallel to each other and toan alternator, the alternator electrically grounded and furtherconnected to the node of the electrical circuit in parallel to thestarter, battery, and charge storage device, the alternator configuredto charge each of the battery and the charge storage device to a firstvoltage.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein, during the secondcondition, electrically coupling the battery, the charge storage device,and the starter, in series to each other further includes dischargingeach of the battery and the charge storage device, and applying asecond, higher voltage, across the starter, the second voltage beingdouble the first voltage.
 22. The method of claim 20 wherein, thestarter is connected to the node of the electrical circuit through athird relay, and wherein, during the second condition, actuating thestarter further includes, closing the third relay to initiate operationof the starter.
 23. The method of claim 21 wherein applying the second,higher voltage, across the starter includes staging the application ofthe second, higher voltage across the starter.
 24. The method of claim19 wherein the third condition includes one of a voltage droop and avoltage spike across the EPAS, and wherein absorbing voltage transientsacross the EPAS includes, during the voltage droop, absorbing thevoltage transient by discharging the charge storage device, and duringthe voltage spike, absorbing the voltage transient by charging thecharge storage device.
 25. The method of claim 19 wherein the chargestorage device includes a plurality of capacitors electrically coupledin series to each other.
 26. The method of claim 19 wherein, during thesecond condition, electrically coupling the battery, the charge storagedevice, and the starter, in series to each other, by closing the firstrelay includes electrically uncoupling the charge storage device to theEPAS by opening the second relay.